Part 49 (1/2)
She raised an eyebrow. ”Am I right?”
There was another long pause. ”Yes,” he said finally. ”I would take a very dim view of anyone who tried to tarnish my good name.”
”And if the tarnisher was your own son?”
He stood up and began to pace in front of the fireplace. ”Why should I believe your lies, Deputy Brodie? I know who you are. I know what you did, how you seduced Miss Hayes and corrupted her.”
Zee examined a fingernail. ”For all I know,” he continued, ”this is just a continuation of your rivalry with Fred.” He stopped pacing.
She looked up. ”Mr. Younger. This ain't about rivalry. Frankly, I'd prefer to have nothing more to do with your son; the man's mean as a rattler, and his friends ain't no better. But he's set on hurting me and mine, and I can't allow that. Pardon my plain speaking.”
Alexander Younger's cheeks had reddened, and she thought he was going to tell her to leave. But he got a grip on his temper and said, ”I must confess, in recent times the boy has been a severe disappointment to me, as for his friends . . .” He trailed off and shook his head. ”But he's still my son.” He resumed his seat.
She leaned forward. ”That's why I've come to you rather than to the town marshal.”
318.
His face paled. ”Has Fred really done something to bring shame to my family?”
”Yeah.”
”You can substantiate this accusation?”
”Sure can.”
The fight seemed to go out of the old man, and he sighed and leaned back in his armchair. ”Very well.” He steepled his fingers.
”You'd better tell me all about it.”
So she did.
GIF.
Nellie put down the tray of drinks, cast a curious glance at her now pale employer and scurried out. Alexander Younger picked up the half-full whiskey decanter and filled the two gla.s.ses on the tray.
He pushed one toward Zee and drained the other himself.
While he refilled his gla.s.s, Zee sipped hers. It was hard to believe the smooth amber liquor bore the same name as that rotgut they served in the Golden Slipper.
The color had just about returned to his cheeks when he spoke.
”What will it take for you not to go public with this?”
Triumph surged through her, but she kept her poker face in place.
”First,” she ticked off the points on her fingers, ”Lord Camborne gets his money back. By now, he should realize the silver mine Fred and his friend sold him is worthless. Reckon he'll be feeling pretty foolish and more than willing to keep it quiet if the sale is declared null and void.”
Younger grunted. ”Go on.”
”Second. Fred stays out of Contention and Benson.” She considered for a moment then amended it. ”h.e.l.l, out of the Territory entirely works better. Crux of the matter is, from now on he stays away from both Christie and Blue. He's caused the Hayes family enough grief.”
”Fred's mother will object to not being able to see her son”
”It's not negotiable.” Zee's gaze was hard.
Anger flared behind Younger's eyes, then faded, replaced by thoughtfulness. ”I had been wondering whether Fred might not benefit from some time in Europe. Many young men have their horizons broadened by a Grand Tour.” He stroked his whiskers. ”It won't suit 319.
Cecilia Fremont, of course. But that can't be helped.” He nodded.
”I'll talk to Caroline about it.”
”Do that. Third. The Fabric Emporium Fred got you to open on Commercial Street, opposite Hayes's store. It closes, today.”
Younger scratched his whiskers then shrugged. ”All right. Is that it?”
”One final condition. But I don't think it'll be hard to fulfill. Put Blue Hayes up for members.h.i.+p of the Cactus Club. His name was proposed once before, but your son blackballed him.” He had the grace to look shamefaced. ”With you as his sponsor that shouldn't happen a second time.”
Younger stood up and crossed to a bureau, from which he retrieved a box of cigars. He brought it back to his seat, flipped open the lid, and took one, then gestured to Zee to help herself.
She started to reach for one then remembered what Christie had said and shook her head. ”No thanks.”
He shrugged and busied himself clipping and lighting his cigar.
She waited until thick smoke was curling toward the ceiling.
”Well. Is it a deal or ain't it?”
Younger blew out a smoke ring. ”You've got yourself a deal.”
Chapter 14.
Christie was gazing out of the window when an officious-looking man reined his horse to a halt outside the busy store across the street.
She watched him dismount, tether his horse to the hitching rail, and barge his way inside.
She was just turning away, when the store's customers began to file out onto the sidewalk, some red-faced and gesticulating. A ”closed” sign appeared in one of the windows. Then the rider emerged and rode away.
”Well!” she murmured, registering the tinkle of the doorbell.
”Wonder what that was about.”
”Ain't it obvious?”
She swung round. Zee was standing in her doorway, a smug grin on her face. Christie beamed at her. ”What took you so long?”
As Zee advanced into the store, Christie threw herself at her and gave her a bear hug.